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H. M. SMITH. Adjustable Shelf Partition.

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UNrrEn STATES 1 ATENT OFFICE.

HAVILAH M. SMITH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ADJUSTABLE SHELF-PARTITION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 238,042, dated October5, 1880',

Application filed July 31, 1880.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAVILAH M. SMITH, of the city of New York, in thecounty and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Adjustable Shelf-Partitions, of which thefollowing is aspecification.

The device which constitutes the presentinvention is designed for thepurpose of dividing any given extent of shelfroom into convenientcompartments, with the capacity of varying that subdivision readily andat pleasure, as circumstances may require. It is specially intended foruse in libraries and bookstores, to prevent the books upon the shelvesfrom falling over when, for any reason, an unoccupied space exists onthe shelf; but it will be manifest upon the simple suggestion to thateffect that its utility is not limited to its use in connection withbooks. It may be used as a lateral support for various articles ofmerchandise and to separate any one kind of goods from another.

The device consists of two pieces of deal or other material joinedtogether in the form of the letter T. The cap-piece should besubstantially straight or plain upon its upper face, and preferablybeveled ot'f toward its ends on its under side, although this is'notabsolutely necessary.

If made of wood, the standard and the crosspiece will preferably be madeseparate and then joined by any convenient means; but if of metal thewhole device may be made out of a single sheet or casting.

The length of the upright should be adapted to the height of the spacein which itis to be used, the length being such that while the foot ofthe upright rests on the lower shelf the cap-piece will have an easybearing against the under side of the shelf above. Thus constructed, thepartition will maintain a vertical position, and yet be capable of beingeasily moved to the right or to the left, as may be desired. 1

When used upon a library-shelf, if any of the books are removed it isonly necessary to shift the adjustable partition to a position (Nomodel.)

against the side of the remaining volumes, and it will constitute acomplete lateral support, and thus keep them in a vertical position. Forthis purpose it is deemed far better than the guard, which heretoforehas come somewhat into use, and which consists of an upright providedwith a laterally-projccting foot-piece.

The present device permits of. all the books standing squarely anddirectly upon the shelf. which was not the case with the older device.

When the present improved device is made in large quantities forshipment it will be found convenient and economical to ship thepartitions before the parts are permanently joined together. In suchcasetheconstruction should be such that the parts may be united readilywhen it is required to put the partitions into use, and for this purposethe dovetail joint will be found specially adapted.

In the accompanying drawings, which fully illustrate the invention,Figure l is a view of the device in perspective. Fig. 2 shows a sectionof shelving divided into four cotnpartments, the first compartment being a receptacle for a number of small tubes or cylinders, the thirdcontaining books, and the second and the fourth being vacant.

What is claimed as new is 1. An adjustable book'snpport orshelf-partition consisting of an upright and a cap-piece, and having aheight corresponding to the vertical space which it is designed tooccupy, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of an upper and alower shelf and an adjustableT-shaped book-support or shelfpartition, substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

3. An adjustable book-support or shelf-partition composed of twopieces-an upright and a cap-piece-the two being constructed to be joinedtogether by a dovetail, substantially as described.

HAVILAH M. SMITH.

Witnesses SAML. A. DUNCAN, BENJ. A. SMITH.

